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Cellulitis. Cellulitis due to a varicose ulcer of the leg in a 90-year-old woman. Leg ulcers are open sores on the leg that fail to heal. In this case the ulcer has occurred as a complication of a varicose vein. The ulcer (black triangle) has allowed bacteria, most likely streptococci, to infect and spread through the skin (cellulitis). This has made the skin hot and tender (red area). The patient may also be feverish and suffer from chills. Untreated cellulitis in a wound such as this can progress to bacteraemia and septicaemia. Treatment is with antibiotics, usually penicillin.